Wrench attachment preventing slippage along nut or bolt head axis



Dec. 21, 1954 H. D. BOWMAN 2,697,371

WRENCH ATTACHMENT PREVENTING SLIPPAGE ALONG NUT 0R BOLT HEAD AXIS Filed Feb. 29, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 :IIIIIIIIIIHH' 26 INVENTOR. HYMR N D. BOWMHN H TORNEY' Dec. 21, 1954 2,697,371

H. D. BOWMAN WRENCH ATTACHMENT PREVENTING SLIPPAGE ALONG NUT 0R BOLT HEAD AXIS Filed Feb. 29, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. l/YMHN D. BOWMAN HTTORNEY United States Patent WRENCH ATTACHMENT PREVENTING SLIPPAGE ALONG NUT 0R BOLT HEAD AXIS Hyman D. Bowman, Raleigh, N. C.

Application February 29, 1952, Serial No. 274,167

1 Claim. (Cl. 81-119) This invention relates to an attachment for wrenches, and while herein illustrated and described as used in connection with set wrenches, it will be obvious that the device may be employed in connection with any other types or wrenches wherein it is found to be applicable.

Important objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an attachment for wrenches of the character described, which will function to aid in maintaining the wrench in the engaging position on a bolt nut and thereby greatly facilitate and expedite the tightening or removal of the latter, which may be readily embodied in wrenches already constructed as well as form a component part of a new wrench structure, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and efficient in its use, compact, and comparatively economical in its manufacture and use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that changes in the form, proportions and details of construction may be resorted to that come within the scope of the claim hereunto a pended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a top plan view of a set wrench provided with the improved attachment constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof partly in cross section.

Figure 3 is an end view of the wrench and attachment.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the attachment connected with a wrench.

Figure 5 is a side view of the modification shown in Fi ure 4 and bein partly in cross section.

Figures 6 and 7 are, respectively, top plan and end vie s of another modification of the invention.

Figures 8. 9 and 10 are. respectively, top plan views of other modified forms of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a set wrench of conventional integral construction. The set wrench com rises a straight bar shank 1 each end of which is shaped to form a jaw head, respectively indicated at 2 and 3. Each of the jaw heads is provided with an open, angular orifice, respectively indicated at 4 and 5. adapted for engaging a bolt nut in the usual manner well known in the art to which the invention appertains.

The embodiment of the invention, shown in Fi ures 1 and 2, com rises a dual attachment structure, and comprises an elongated slide member 6, which may be constructed of comparatively thin sheet metal or any other suitable material. The slide member is formed with enlar ed ends, res ectively indicated at 7 and 8, each of which is provided with an open recess, respectively indicated at 9 and 10.

It will here be noted that the flat top surfaces of t e shank 1 and of the jaw heads 2 and 3 preferably lie in one plane, and the slide member 6 is positioned to lie flatly upon and against such flat top surfaces. If the device is to be attached to an already constructed wrench in which the top surface does not extend on an even plane, the slide member is shaped to conform to the mterrunted contour of such top surface.

The slide member 6 is longitudinally adjustable on the wrench and is attached to the shank 1 by a pair of slide member and limit through respective elongated slots 13 and 14 and are engaged in the shank. The slots are disposed in longitudinal alignment adjacent to respective ends of the the adjustment movement of the latter on the wrench. A grip element 15, for facilitating the longitudinal adustment of the slide member 6 on the wrench, is carried by the slide member and projects upward from the latter. The grip element may be stamped from the slide member, as shown, and thereby provide an opening 16 in the slide member, structure and arrangement.

A pair of small bosses, respectively indicated at 17 and 18, are formed on the top of the shank 1. The bosses are disposed in spaced longitudinal alignment, and either one of them may be selectively engaged by snap action in the opening 16 for holding the slide member in respective ad usted position.

so that when the slide member is shifted to the operative position the enlarged end thereof will overlap a considerable portion of the associated orifice of the jaw head. In Figure l the enlarged end 7 of the slide member is shown in the operative position, while the other enlarged end 8 of the slide member is in the retracted or inoperative position.

In practice, the operation of the improved attachment is as follows: Assuming it is desired to adjust the nut 19 on the bolt 20 by engaging said nut in the jaw head 2, the slide member is first adjusted on the wrench to position the enlarged end 7 of the slide member in the operative position, as shown in Figure 1. The boss 17 will engage in the opening 16 to hold the slide member in such adjusted position.

The nut 19 is then engaged in the orifice 4 of the jaw head 2 whereby the enlarged end 7 of the slide member 6 will overlap and rest upon a portion of the top of the nut, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The recess 9 in the enlarged end 7 of the slide member provides clearance for the projecting end of the bolt 20 when the jaw head 2 is so engaged on the nut. It will be evident that when the nut is so engaged by the slide member, the latter will prevent the jaw head from disengaging the nut by the downward slippage of the jaw head from the nut.

It will here be noted that the overlapping extension or areas of the enlar ed ends 7 and 8 of the slide member 6, or the contours of said ends, may be varied to best meet conditions found in practice, and that instead of constructing the slide member as a dual structure, separate or individual slide members may be employed in connection with each jaw head of the wrench. Further, the position of the wrench may be reversed to dispose the slide member on the underside of the wrench if found advantageous in the operation of the wrench for any purpose. Likewise, the manner of connecting the attach ment to the wrench and for maintaining said attachment in its proper alignment on the wrench may be varied without departing from the principle of the invention.

In the modification of the invention, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a separate adjustable slide member 21 is shown in connection with a wrench comprising a closed jaw head 22 and a shank 23. The slide member is wrapped around the shank 23 for frictional adjustment on the latter and includes an enlarged recessed end 24 for overlapping the jaw head 22 when said slide member is in the operative position. The adjusting movement of the slide member 21 is limited by a screw 25, which extends through an elongated slot 26 in the slide member and is engaged in the shank 23. The slide member 21 further includes a grip element 15', which projects upwardly from the inner end of the slide member.

The embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, comprises a wrench 27 including a jaw head 28 which is formed with the usual nut-engaging orifice 29. A retaining flange 30, formed with an open recess 31, is

or may comprise any other suitable grip It is, of course, apparent that the bosses may be engaged by a special indentation formed fixed in position at one blue of the aw head 28 in a manner to project into and overlap a part of the orifice 29.

for the purpose herein before stated relatively to the other embodiments of the device. The retaining flange 30 may be formed integral with the jaw head 28, as shown, or may be welded or riveted to said jaw head. It is, of course, apparent that in this embodiment of the invention, the retaining means is non-adjustable on the wrench.

In the modified form of the invention, iShOWD in Figure 8, the enlarged end 32 of the slide member 33 is not provided with a recess, but has va straight end which abuts against the 'bolt .20 .and lies upon .the nut 19 when the slide member 32 is in .the operative position.

In the disclosure, illustrated .in Figure 9, the enlarged end 34 of the slide member v35 is provided with a tapering or substantially V-shaped recess .36, to facilitate the engagement of the recess and associated jaw head on the bolt and nut, respectively. I

In the modification, shown in Figure 10, the enlarged head 37 of the slide member 38 is provided with an aperture 39 for surrounding the bolt 20 when the device is in the operative position.

In the modifications, shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the wrench 4.0 is formed with an elongated boss 41, which projects through .elongated slots 42 provided in respective members 33, 35, 38, to maintain the alignment of the latter on the wrench. The slide members are attached to the wrenches .by a pair of laterally projecting ears 43 carried by respective bosses 41.

The present invention provides a most etficient device 30 of its kind, which may be economically constructed, and successfully employed, .even by unskilled persons, in the manner and for the purpose herein .set forth.

What I claim is:

A wrench tor operating .a not .on a .bolt including a shank provided with a rigid jaw head formed with a recess for engaging the nut, comprising, in combination, an elongated member mounted on said shank and having an enlarged end formed with a recess considerably smaller than the recess in said jaw, said member being adjustable on the shank to cause said enlarged end to 1 shift to the operative position to overlap ,the nut and the jaw ahead and .to engage the bolt in .the recess in said enlarged end, a grip element for facilitating the adjustment of said member on the shank, said grip element being stamped from said member and providing an opening in "the latter, and a :boss vcarried by the shank and being rengageable in said opening for holding said recessed end in the operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

